Should I replace my Lumix G2 kit lens with the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 for travel and night photography?
Asked 11/30/2012
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I’m new to photography and use a Panasonic Lumix G2. I broke my 14-42mm kit lens and am deciding between another 14-42mm zoom or the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 pancake lens.
I mainly shoot on holidays: landscapes, people with scenery in the background, and I’d also like to learn how to take night photos of scenery. Which option is better for those uses?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
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The Panasonic Lumix G 20mm F/1.7 ASPH is better. As its name says, it has a maximum aperture of F/1.7 compared to a maximum of F/3.5 at wide-angle for either currently available 14-42mm lenses.
This means the 20mm lets in more than 4X more light and will let you shoot with less light or with the same amount of light at a lower ISO or faster shutter-speed or both.
As a matter you can do even a tiny bit better with the Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 25mm F/1.4.
Originally by user1620. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1620
13y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For low light, the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 is clearly better. Its much wider aperture lets in over 4× more light than a typical 14-42mm kit lens at the wide end, so you can use lower ISO or faster shutter speeds—especially helpful for handheld shots and for people in dim light.
That said, the choice depends on what you shoot most:
- People / casual low-light / travel walking-around: the 20mm f/1.7 is the stronger option. It’s sharp, compact, and better for night scenes when shooting handheld.
- Landscapes / general travel flexibility: the 14-42mm is more versatile because of the zoom range.
- Night scenery / cityscapes: either lens can work well if you use a tripod, since landscapes are often shot stopped down for more depth of field and with longer exposures.
So: if your priority is night shots and low-light photos of people, get the 20mm f/1.7. If your priority is one lens for varied holiday scenes, the 14-42mm is more flexible. If night landscapes matter most, consider budgeting for a decent tripod too.
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AI13y ago
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